Cover Band vs. Original Band: Which Path Should You Choose?

Up and coming musicians from all over have asked themselves the same question for decades, and to this day the answer seems to always be unclear. Many wonder, should I write my own music and play what I enjoy, or focus more on what the crowd enjoys and how they respond? This age-old question has maintained itself as an unsolved riddle for musicians, year after year for as long as live music as we know it has been around. So let’s dive into it, which path is the best route for you to take on your musical journey?

The Appeal of Cover Bands

"Playing in a cover band is like being an actor in a play; you get to step into someone else's shoes and bring their music to life." - Unknown

Cover bands are a staple of the live music scene in Springfield and beyond. These groups perform popular songs by other artists, often focusing on specific genres or eras. These bands often are what makes crowds want to dance, and are often able to build a connection with the audience faster. Cover bands have several advantages:

1. Instant Audience Connection

When you play well-known hits, audiences immediately connect with the music. They can sing along and dance to familiar tunes, creating an energetic atmosphere at venues like bars and weddings. Many of these songs take listeners on a journey of memories, bringing back their childhood days or other cherished times in their lives. 

2. Steady Gig Opportunities

Cover bands often find it easier to book regular gigs at local venues. Bars and event planners know that cover bands can reliably draw crowds and keep them entertained. Due to these bands often having greater audience retention, venue managers often trust these bands as they have often proven to be the most successful in connecting with their patrons. 

3. Skill Development

Playing in a cover band can help you improve your musicianship. Learning and performing complex arrangements of popular songs can sharpen your skills and versatility. The skills a musician learns in an environment such as this often can form very unique sounds that audiences love once they begin to create their own original music later down the road. 

4. Networking

The cover band scene in Springfield is vibrant, offering opportunities to connect with other musicians and industry professionals. Networking with as many musicians, venue managers, and other industry professionals is crucial for musicians to find success in the local live music scene. 

The Challenges of Cover Bands

While cover bands offer many benefits, they also come with some drawbacks. Some of these drawbacks include:

1. Limited Creative Expression

As a cover band musician, you're primarily performing other artists' work. This can be creatively limiting for some musicians, while others seem to thrive trying to give new life to these already classic songs. Trying to add your own style to these cover songs can help fuel your passion and creative expression in the music creation process. 

2. Competitive Market

The cover band scene can be highly competitive, with many groups racing for the same gigs. Even in such a vibrant music community such as the one we have here in the Ozarks, many musicians who are still in their infancy in the live music scene struggle to push through the crowd to land gigs at popular venues. 

3. Potential for Burnout

Lets face it, any musician who has ever played live has heard the relentless cry for the band to play Freebird. While some bands respond to this by flipping the bird, others take the opportunity to please the crowd by playing this song, often for what seems like the 18 millionth time. While the crowds often respond to these songs well, keeping the band fired up about these songs night after night can very easily become a struggle. 

The Appeal of Original Bands

For many musicians, creating and performing original music is the ultimate goal. Here are some reasons why:

1. Creative Freedom

Writing and performing your own music allows for unlimited creative expression. There are no rules to follow when composing original music, and many find relief and joy in following their heart’s desire while enduring the creative process.

2. Building a Unique Brand

Original bands have the opportunity to develop a distinctive sound and image, potentially leading to a dedicated fan base. While building this fanbase can take a long time, these bands often experience much greater fan loyalty once they have achieved this milestone. 

3. Potential for Greater Success

While it's a challenging path, original bands have the potential to achieve widespread recognition and success beyond the local scene. When all the stars of the complex music business align, these musicians can find their original songs topping charts. These hard working musicians can then enjoy hearing the songs they once sang in run down, nearly empty bars, being sung out by thousands in sold out arenas. 

4. Artistic Fulfillment

For many musicians, there's no greater satisfaction than sharing their own creations with an audience. Art is very personal, and sharing these songs with live audiences is very rewarding to many musicians emotionally. Many songwriters write from very personal experiences, and this can affect how performing these songs live affects them. 

Challenges of Original Bands

Pursuing an original music career comes with its own set of obstacles:

1. Harder to Book Gigs

While cover bands are playing the songs everyone knows, original bands are rocking the songs that have not quite yet paid their dues. Many venue managers are looking for bands that will hype an audience up as quickly as possible, therefore driving the audience to spend more money at that venue. Unfortunately for original music artists, cover bands typically have better success in this task area. 

2. Building an Audience

It takes time and effort to build a fan base for original music. Once an artist has built a fanbase, those artists often experience much greater fan loyalty than cover bands will. But the process to that point is very long and can seem very unrewarding until you reach that point of success. 

3. Financial Uncertainty

The income from original music can be less stable, especially in the early stages of a band's career. With greater difficulty to book shows, artists often see a decrease in income due to lack of shows. Many artists also see a dip in their nightly tips due to the audience not knowing as many songs. These challenges can be overcome, but are often rather discouraging at first. 

The Springfield Music Scene

Springfield, Missouri, offers opportunities for both cover bands and original acts. The city has a diverse range of venues that cater to different musical styles:

• Bars and pubs often feature cover bands playing popular hits

• Local music festivals showcase both cover and original acts

• Intimate venues like coffee shops and art galleries often welcome singer-songwriters and smaller original bands

Making Your Decision

Ultimately, the choice between joining a cover band or pursuing original music depends on your personal goals and circumstances. Consider the following factors:

1. Your Musical Passion

What truly excites you as a musician? If you're passionate about creating your own music, an original band might be more fulfilling.

2. Career Goals

Do you see music as a full-time career or a side gig? Cover bands often provide more stable income, while original acts offer the potential for greater long-term success.

3. Local Opportunities

Research the Springfield music scene to understand which path might offer more immediate opportunities.

4. Skill Level

Be honest about your current abilities. Cover bands can be a great way to improve your skills before launching an original project.

5. Time Commitment

Original bands often require more time for songwriting and promotion. Consider how much time you can dedicate to your music.

Hybrid Approach

Many successful musicians in Springfield and beyond have found a balance between cover gigs and original music. This approach allows you to:

• Earn steady income from cover band performances

• Develop your skills by playing a variety of music

• Use cover gigs to network and promote your original material

• Gradually transition to more original performances as you build a following

The Decision is Yours: Theres no Wrong Answers

No matter if you choose to stick with originals, covers, or dip your foot into the waters of both world, you as the musician are in control and there are no wrong answers. While playing in a cover band seems like more sacrifice than what it's worth at times, just remember that it's one stepping stone on an amazing journey in your musical career! A blog post from Wampler Pedals states, "Everyone has to start somewhere, and many of the famous acts played covers until they got their foot in the door and added in their own material along the way." On the flip side, playing orignals can seem like a lage risk due to the harsh stuggles that come along with being a undergound singer/songwriter. Just remeber that every musician made their start somewhere, just follow what you feel at peace about and enjoy the creative flow of your music!

Promoting Your Music in Springfield

Regardless of whether you choose the cover band or original music path, promoting your performances is crucial. Here are some tips:

1. Utilize Social Media

Create and maintain active profiles on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to connect with fans and promote your shows.

2. Collaborate with Local Businesses

Partner with Springfield bars, restaurants, and shops to cross-promote your performances.

3. Engage with Local Media

Reach out to local radio stations, podcasts, and blogs to gain exposure for your music.

4. Network with Other Musicians

Build relationships within the Springfield music community to find collaboration and performance opportunities.

Support the Local Music Scene

Whether you're a musician or a music lover, supporting the Springfield live music scene is crucial. Here's how you can get involved:

For Musicians:

• Consider advertising your upcoming shows on our website, Live Music Springfield MO. We offer affordable promotional packages to help you reach a wider audience.

• Engage with our community by sharing your experiences and connecting with other local musicians through our platform.

For Music Fans:

• Check out our website for the latest listings of live music events in Springfield. From cover bands to original acts, we've got something for every taste.

• Support local venues by attending shows and bringing friends. The more vibrant our music scene, the more opportunities it creates for all musicians.

Conclusion

Whether you choose to join a cover band or pursue original music, Springfield's diverse music scene offers opportunities for growth and success. By understanding the pros and cons of each path, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your musical goals and personal preferences.

Remember, the journey of a musician is rarely linear. Many successful artists have explored both cover and original music throughout their careers. The key is to stay passionate, keep learning, and actively engage with the local music community.

Are you a musician looking to promote your upcoming shows in Springfield? Or a music lover searching for great live performances? Visit Live Music Springfield MO today to discover the best of our local music scene. Let's work together to keep the rhythm of Springfield alive and thriving!